A Passion for Preaching God’s Word (Acts 19)

Scripture reading – Acts 19 

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Acts 19

Today’s Scripture reading from Acts 19 picks up our narrative as we follow Paul and his team on his third and final missionary journey, which began in Acts 18:23.

Paul’s Public Ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-12)

When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he found about twelve men baptized “unto John’s baptism” who had not heard of the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-3, 7). When those men heard that John was the forerunner of Jesus Christ, whom Paul preached (Acts 19:4), they believed and “were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). When Paul laid his hands on them, “the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).

Then, as was his custom, Paul “went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). Though some believed, others “were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude.” Paul therefore departed from them, separated the disciples, and taught daily “in the school of one Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9). He remained there for two years, “so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). 

By “special miracles,” God authenticated Paul’s ministry and message in Ephesus (Acts 19:11-12). These miracles were for a particular time and confirmed Paul’s apostleship (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3-4; compare Acts 2:22).

Paul’s Adversaries and the Fruit of His Ministry (Acts 19:13-20)

Nevertheless, Paul’s ministry was not without impostors. Certain “vagabond Jews, exorcists,” including the seven sons of Sceva, attempted to “ride the coattails” of Paul’s preaching by invoking “Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” The evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” and overcame them (Acts 19:13-16).

When this became known, fear fell upon Jews and Greeks alike, and “the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (Acts 19:17). Many who believed confessed their deeds (Acts 19:18). Those who had practiced “curious arts” turned from their pagan ways, gathered their books of spells, and “burned them before all men.” What they destroyed was worth “fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:19). If a silver coin was equivalent to a day’s wages, this was an enormous sum.

What was the effect of new believers setting aside their old paths and ways of sin? Luke wrote, “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).

Paul’s Preaching Stirred an Uproar and Riot (Acts 19:21-41)

Then “Paul purposed in the spirit” to pass through “Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem,” saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome” (Acts 19:21). Before departing from Ephesus, however, Paul found himself in the midst of a riot. Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines for Diana, stirred it up, along with fellow craftsmen whose livelihoods were threatened (Acts 19:23-28).

Paul’s bold condemnation of idolatry (Acts 19:26) and the powerful effect of his preaching not only threatened the commerce and trade tied to the worship of the goddess Diana (the Greeks’ Artemis, whose temple at Ephesus was one of the wonders of the ancient world, Acts 19:27) but also set the whole city in an uproar (Acts 19:28-41).

The mob seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s “companions in travel,” and rushed them into the city’s great outdoor theater (Acts 19:29). Paul would have gone to the people, but the disciples, along with certain officials who were his friends, would not allow him (Acts 19:30-31). In the confusion, most of the crowd “knew not wherefore they were come together” (Acts 19:32). Stirred into a frenzy, the people of Ephesus cried out “about the space of two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians” (Acts 19:33-34).

Finally, “the townclerk” (the city’s chief civil officer, much like a mayor) appealed to the people and reasoned with them, saying, “ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly” (Acts 19:35-36). He reminded Demetrius and the craftsmen that “the law is open” and that any other matter would “be determined in a lawful assembly” (Acts 19:38-39). He then dismissed the assembly (Acts 19:41). After the uproar subsided, Paul called the disciples together, embraced them, and departed for Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Closing thoughts—

Despite opposition, Paul continued to minister in Ephesus for about three years, warning “every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). He later expressed his love for the believers there in his epistle to the Ephesians, written while he was imprisoned in Rome.

Acts 19 reminds us that those who preach God’s Word and share the Gospel will inevitably face opposition and pressure to remain silent. It is my prayer that Paul’s example will inspire us to remain faithful, even amid an uproar!